Places

Mercy

Reading about Samuel and Ira has got me thinking about what I can do to help. I’ve always thought that mercy isn’t one of my strengths, but I wonder if that’s just a cop-out; maybe I’ve just never pushed myself to develop that atrophied characteristic.

The other day Murray and I were talking about King David and his friend Jonathan and it occurred to me that we always cast ourselves as the lead character when making a metaphor of our own lives. We describe ourselves as like King David, never considering that maybe we are more akin to his sidekick Jonathan. Maybe our whole role in life is to play character actor to someone else’s lead.

How do I begin to lay down my own master narrative, which I’m fiercely committed to, and pick up the threads of another narrative, and just help out in whatever way I can? Is that what mercy looks like?

All I know is that I’ve never been more impressed than when I read that our friend, a professional photographer, working in Sumatra last week, had not picked up his camera for days because he was too busy helping out with relief efforts.

3 Comments so far ↓

Thank you for the links to the articles about your friends. I am grateful for their story.
I will have to think on your Jonathan and David comments. There is wisdom in this question, “How do I begin to lay down my own master narrative, which I’m fiercely committed to, and pick up the threads of another narrative, and just help out in whatever way I can? Is that what mercy looks like?”
I learned of your blog on Mental Multivitamin. I’ll certainly be back.
Warmly,
Diane

Megan, this is the exact attitude that we need more of, if everyone had even a eagerness to serve in times of need (which most of the time is always) this world would be a whole different place. the 5 days I spent in Banda Aceh touched my heart forever…the 4 days I was working there and trying my hardest to save people from an empty death, I was praying without end for my friends and family that they would be touched and their hearts would be changed like mine, especially without needing to endure the pains and struggles that we went through.
Most of us will never have to be apart of such a tradgedy liek the one that started on the Shores of Sumatra Indonesia, but if we can all be touched like you were and still are, this town, this world would be rid of hate. Thank you for your thoughts.
Its good to be home…this place feels like heaven.

Thanks Samuel, so good to hear a first-hand account. The work you and Ira did in Sumatra has resonated through our community and far, far beyond. I agree, we all need to serve those who are in need; we all need to see need and respond accordingly. We’re glad you’re both back, and safely.